Open letter to president of India, demanding justice for Kargil hero

28 November, 2012

Father of Lt Saurabh Kalia, a Kargil hero whose mutilated body bore torture marks, has been fighting for last 13 years, demanding the torture of his son be declared a war crime, has met with little success.

HONOURABLE SIR: With moist eyes, I am writing this letter. For the honor of his son, Kargil war hero, martyr lieutenant Saurab Kalia, Dr. N.K Kalia is running from pillar to post.

Dr. Kalia, father of first martyr of Kargil war of 1999, lieutenant Saurab Kalia is battling all odds to restore the honor of his late son, since the last 13 years. Lieutenant Saurav and his five colleagues, sepoys Arjun Ram, Bhanwar Lal Bagaria, Bhika Ram, Moola Ram and Naresh Singh were captured by Pakistani Army on May 15, 1999 while patrolling at the height of about 14000 feet in the Kaksar region of Ladakh. For 22 days he and his colleagues were held captive as a prisoners of war. On June 9 tortured, mutilated bodies of all the six including lieutenant Saurav were handed over to Indian Army.

Post-mortem of the martyrs revealed shocking, heart wrenching information. The martyrs were subjected to brutal and barbaric torture; they were tortured by burning cigarettes at their body, ear-drums were pierced with hot rods, eyes were punctured before removal, teeth and bones were broken, lips were cut, nose and limbs and private organs were chopped off before they were shot dead. Postmortem confirms these heinous tortures were commited prior to shooting them dead.

Emotions running high; tears flowing while penning down this letter in support of martyrs. Hats off to you Dr. NK Kalia for pursuing the battle single handedly for the honor of your son and five others, who laid down their lives for their nation. Then army chief, General VP Malik wrote a letter in this concern in 1999 itself to then foreign minister, Jaswant Singh and defence minister, George Fernandez. Files haven’t moved an inch, biting dust somewhere in the corner of Defence Ministry and External Affairs Ministry. Politicians are way too busy in vote banks. Who cares?

Dr. Kalia has filed a petition in the honourable Supreme Court to wake up the government of India in this highly sensitive case.

Dr. Kalia wants government of India to take Pakistan to International Court of Justice for breaching the rights of prisioners of war as enshrined in Geneva Convention. Dr. Kalia wants Govt of Pakistan to tender apology for the brutality inflicted against the martyrs.

Let’s not forget the sacrifice made by these heroes to save us from the clutches of enemy. For a father, who has lost his son, it’s a strenuous battle.

Hon President, my earnest request, as you are the supreme commander of armed forces of the nation, take concrete measures to restore the honor of martyr, Saurav and five others, who encountered inhuman brutality to save their nation.

From

Rajiv Azad